TCIS- THERAPEUTIC
CRISIS INTERVENTION
FOR SCHOOLS
1. What is the primary goal of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Schools (TCIS)?
Answer:
To help children learn constructive ways to handle crisis and stress by preventing
and de-escalating potential crises, managing acute stress safely, and teaching
adaptive coping skills after the incident.
2. What are the four main objectives of TCIS?
Answer:
,Support students and staff in preventing crises.
De-escalate potential crises before they become violent.
Manage acute physical behavior safely.
Teach new coping skills to reduce future incidents.
3. What is the definition of a “crisis” according to TCIS?
Answer:
A state of disequilibrium in which a student’s usual coping mechanisms fail, resulting
in emotional and/or behavioral dysregulation that can lead to risk behavior if not
supported appropriately.
4. What are the three components of the Therapeutic Milieu in TCIS?
Answer:
Culture of safety
Culture of caring
Culture of learning
5. What does the acronym LSI stand for in TCIS?
Answer:
Life Space Interview — a therapeutic, in-the-moment conversation that helps
students reflect on behavior, express feelings, and develop better coping strategies.
6. What are the six stages of the Life Space Interview (LSI)?
Answer:
,I - Isolate the conversation.
E - Explore the student’s point of view.
S - Summarize feelings and content.
C - Connect behavior to feelings.
A - Alternative behaviors discussed.
P - Plan developed/practice new behavior.
(Mnemonic: I ESCAPe)
7. What are the four questions staff should ask themselves before intervening in a
crisis?
Answer:
What am I feeling now?
What does this student feel, need, or want?
How is the environment affecting the situation?
What is the best way to respond?
8. What are the three possible outcomes of a crisis?
Answer:
Lower level of functioning (student feels defeated).
No change (student remains the same).
, Higher level of functioning (student learns and grows from the experience).
9. What is the "Stress Model of Crisis"?
Answer:
The model describes how stress escalates:
Baseline behavior
Triggering event
Escalation phase
Outburst phase
Recovery phase
10. What is the primary goal during the Recovery Phase of the Stress Model of Crisis?
Answer:
To support the student in returning to baseline safely and begin the process of
reflection and learning through LSI or supportive discussion.
11. What are the three goals of crisis co-regulation?
Answer:
Provide support.
Reduce stress and emotional intensity.
Maintain safety for everyone involved.
12. What are some strategies used to de-escalate a student during a crisis?
CRISIS INTERVENTION
FOR SCHOOLS
1. What is the primary goal of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Schools (TCIS)?
Answer:
To help children learn constructive ways to handle crisis and stress by preventing
and de-escalating potential crises, managing acute stress safely, and teaching
adaptive coping skills after the incident.
2. What are the four main objectives of TCIS?
Answer:
,Support students and staff in preventing crises.
De-escalate potential crises before they become violent.
Manage acute physical behavior safely.
Teach new coping skills to reduce future incidents.
3. What is the definition of a “crisis” according to TCIS?
Answer:
A state of disequilibrium in which a student’s usual coping mechanisms fail, resulting
in emotional and/or behavioral dysregulation that can lead to risk behavior if not
supported appropriately.
4. What are the three components of the Therapeutic Milieu in TCIS?
Answer:
Culture of safety
Culture of caring
Culture of learning
5. What does the acronym LSI stand for in TCIS?
Answer:
Life Space Interview — a therapeutic, in-the-moment conversation that helps
students reflect on behavior, express feelings, and develop better coping strategies.
6. What are the six stages of the Life Space Interview (LSI)?
Answer:
,I - Isolate the conversation.
E - Explore the student’s point of view.
S - Summarize feelings and content.
C - Connect behavior to feelings.
A - Alternative behaviors discussed.
P - Plan developed/practice new behavior.
(Mnemonic: I ESCAPe)
7. What are the four questions staff should ask themselves before intervening in a
crisis?
Answer:
What am I feeling now?
What does this student feel, need, or want?
How is the environment affecting the situation?
What is the best way to respond?
8. What are the three possible outcomes of a crisis?
Answer:
Lower level of functioning (student feels defeated).
No change (student remains the same).
, Higher level of functioning (student learns and grows from the experience).
9. What is the "Stress Model of Crisis"?
Answer:
The model describes how stress escalates:
Baseline behavior
Triggering event
Escalation phase
Outburst phase
Recovery phase
10. What is the primary goal during the Recovery Phase of the Stress Model of Crisis?
Answer:
To support the student in returning to baseline safely and begin the process of
reflection and learning through LSI or supportive discussion.
11. What are the three goals of crisis co-regulation?
Answer:
Provide support.
Reduce stress and emotional intensity.
Maintain safety for everyone involved.
12. What are some strategies used to de-escalate a student during a crisis?
